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Child Victims of Trafficking

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Foreign child victims of trafficking living in the United States have come from Mexico, Central and South America, Asia, Africa, and Eastern Europe. Children are subjected to human trafficking in many different sectors in their home countries, in transit, and even in the United States. Traffickers can be family members, acquaintances, pimps, employers, smugglers, and strangers. They often prey upon children’s vulnerabilities and may use psychological intimidation or violence to control and exploit children for their financial benefit.

To become eligible for federally funded benefits and services, a child victim who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a lawful permanent resident (LPR) must have an Eligibility Letter or an Interim Assistance Letter from the HHS Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). An individual can request a letter of eligibility from ORR on behalf of a child when credible information indicates the child may be a victim of trafficking.

To request assistance for a child victim of trafficking, please contact a Child Protection Specialist at 202-205-4582 or email Childtrafficking@acf.hhs.gov.

If a child is in urgent need of assistance, contact local law enforcement or child protective services to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of a child.

The National Human Trafficking Resource Center (NHTRC) operates a hotline 24 hours a day, every day. The NHTRC will help callers identify and coordinate with local organizations that protect and serve victims of trafficking. Contact the NHTRC at 1-888-3737-888.